Around noon the sun was peeping through the cloud cover and I gathered myself on my Moots for an easy ride. I put a little more pressure in my tyres because I was going out for a mixed ride, some tarmac, some offroad. Starting out into Heverlee forest I came accross a slow-worm (Anguis Fragilis or Hazelworm in Dutch) lying in the middle of the track. Probably warming up a bit in the sparse sunlight. After having taken its picture I moved on for a big loop, taking small tracks and bigger ones. During these kind of rides I never have an exact plan, I just follow my front wheel. After a passing through Heverlee and the Arenberg campus I came in the area around the Bertem petrol station alongside the E40. Making a few loops over singletrails, then crossing the E40 and following the Green Bloso route towards Korbeek Dijle.

Here I disappeared into the Doode Beemde. We have seen a considerable amount of days without rain so I wasn't bothered about getting my feet wet. On the contrary, every trail here was dry and hard. Passing over wooden boardwalks that normally stand over moory ground, there was no water to be seen underneath . There were big groups of young juveniles with guides, they were probably busy cleaning up the area or attending an explanation about the Doode Beemde. Crossing the pastures I saw some beautiful brown cows grazing, some with calves. The tracks pass straight through their pastures, so I musn't forget to close the fences. Nearing Sint Joris Weert I decide to ride towards Pecrot and La Malaise. Further on towards Bossut and then down towards Hamme Mille. I see a big white church standing out against the horizon and realize the old church of Tourinnes La Grosse is out of its scaffolding. It has been getting a thorough cleaning since last winter and now the big tower is back in all its splendor. I decide to ride up to it and take a couple of pictures. Looping around it I managed to get a picture from high up on one of the surrounding hills.

My last couple of kilometers then bring me back along the Chapelle Sainte Corneille in Mille and into the Meerdael Forest. After more than 3 hours but with an average heartrate of only 105bpm I am back home with a nice distance under my belt. Now its time for a days' rest and perhaps later this week I might go to Nandrin or the like. The only factor seems to be the weather. It has been dry for a long time but it looks like it 'might' rain nearing the weekend. Just have to wait and see I guess.

Ride Stats : 84K and 425/540 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 3h15mins

7650/78050